Visit Kissimmee, Win a Vacation

The Kissimmee Convention Visitors Bureau has put together one of the more creative packages I’ve seen to encourage more travelers to visit their fair city. Kissimmee is directly adjacent to Walt Disney World and is home to the Hwy 192 strip where you can find entertainment options, dining, shopping, and hotels if you’re looking for a night away from the Mouse Trap.

To attract more visitors and reward their current ones, Kissimmee CVB’s has launced the “Freedom to Enjoy” sweepstakes campaign. The results have been exceptional, Strategic Marketing and Research Manager Shelley Maccini declared. “In the initial few days of its launch, we’ve recorded nearly 2500 entries to win one of five vacation getaways,” she said. “This suggests there is a strong desire among travelers to visit and experience our value-added and diverse slate of vacation and getaway opportunities.”

Freedom to Enjoy is Kissimmee’s springtime promotion running now through May 22. Promoted primarily via online banner ads, radio and direct mail to the CVB’s 800,000 subscriber database, the promotion entices travelers with the chance to win a free vacation.

Three monthly drawings will award lucky winners a 3-night getaway for two worth more than $3,500. At the end of the promotion, two grand prizes winners each will receive a 6-night vacation package for four that includes airfare, meals, attraction admissions and more. Each grand prize is valued at more than $7000.

Offering several ways to enter and win, the promotion introduces potential visitors to Kissimmee, favored by visitors who covet easy access to the Walt Disney World Resort and the region’s other theme parks. Online banner ads on many popular travel and consumer web sites provide registration information. Travelers thirsting for a chance to relax and get away from every day concerns may also visit www.KissimmeeFreedom.com to register for the sweepstakes.

The site also provides information on a host of free offers from participating Kissimmee retailers, accommodations and services – items such as free desserts, free nights stays and buy one, get one free attraction tickets. Currently, several dozen area hospitality and tourism businesses are participating, with more added daily, said Maccini.

Staying in Kissimmee or visiting Kissimmee attractions during the sweepstakes period gives visitors even more chances to enter to win. Scratch-off game pieces are available at many participating Kissimmee area accommodations, attractions and activities. The more attractions visited, the more game cards everyone in the party collects, the more chances they have to enter, according to Maccini.

Should a winner have stayed in Kissimmee during the sweepstakes period, they may choose to be reimbursed for their vacation instead of a future trip.

Sounds like fun, so if you’re coming to the Kissimmee area make sure to sign up and watch out for those game cards.